Movie Review: Licorice Pizza ★★★★★
Licorice Pizza is a surprisingly intriguing film that will suck you right in when you notice what’s going on with the characters. Talk about sexual frustration!
Paul Thomas Anderson is the genius behind this less talked about film that’s competing with other highly anticipated films being released, but in reality it’s right up there with them. His new film involves an age-gap funky type of romance and yes your might be a little creeped out by the age-gap, but it works for the film. The film stars Alana Haim, Cooper Hoffman, Sean Penn, Tom Waits, Bradley Cooper, and Benny Safdie.
Alana Haim portrays Alana Kane, a photographer who becomes the love interest of Gary Valentine, a young actor and hustler. They meet while she’s doing photographs at Gary’s school and immediately have a somewhat weird but sweet connection leading them to becoming friends, starting a waterbed company together, then auditioning for films, and even end up getting involved with Joel Wachs’ mayoral campaign.
Throughout the entire film they go through a changing time politically and culturally while also having to deal with a gas crisis. Valentine and Kane’s journey leads to them interacting with figures of both Old and New Hollywood, including Jon Peters, played by Bradley Cooper and Jack Holden, played by Sean Penn.
Perhaps the one thing that stands out the most in the film is Alana and Gary’s age difference, which we never really know but we estimate to be about 8-10 years with little hints that the characters drop throughout the movie. It’s fun and frustrating at the same time to see these two characters interact because they’re sort of playing cat and mouse with each other and they can’t decide what they want. One time her wants her but then she doesn’t then vice versa, but you know that both of their hearts are in it and yes the age-gap thing is an issue but Gary has done more in his 18 years than a lot of grown men have done in their entire lives. Overall, you will definitely enjoy this film and the outcome, at the end you’ll be cheering… FINALLY!!!
Catch it in theaters on November 26th!
Shani is a writer and social media guru known for covering local topics. Catch her reviews on trending films and some of the biggest shows to invade Tampa Bay. She’s also into topics in hip-hop, fashion and the latest celebrity news. Follow @shanivalencia on Twitter